Welcome!
Dear exchange students,
we would like to welcome you to Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and to the Institute of Primary Education Research.
We are delighted that you have chosen to study at our Institute and wish you every success in your studies. We hope that you will enjoy getting to know people at our University and here in Germany.
The following page contains the most important information you will need for your studies, as well as the main points of contact at the University.
The Institute of Primary Education Research offers the following degree programmes in collaboration with other FAU institutes:
Teaching Primary Education / Bachelor of Education
(7 semesters, 210 ECTS / 6 semesters, 180 ECTS)
Students of the Teaching Primary Education programme may obtain a Bachelor of Education after completing 180 ECTS credits.
Master in Educational Research on Learning and Instruction
(4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
Most of the courses for the degree programme in Teaching Primary Education and the Master's degree programme in Educational Research on Learning and Instruction take place at the campus in Nuremberg located at Regensburger Straße 160. However, some courses are also held in Erlangen.
If you need advice on creating your study plan or anything else related to your studies, our Erasmus co-ordinator will be happy to help:
Dr. Günter Renner
Senior Lecturer
Institute of Primary Education Research
Department of Education
Regensburger Str. 160
90478 Nürnberg
If you have any questions about your stay or your studies, you can contact the following:
Central Office for International Affairs
Office hours: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
or by appointment, closed on Wednesdays
Helmstraße 1A, 2nd Floor
91054 Erlangen
http://www.fau.eu/international/central-office-for-international-affairs/who-we-are/
Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ)
Office hours: Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Individual consultations by appointment
Schlossplatz 3/Halbmondstraße 6, Room 0.021
91054 Erlangen
https://www.fau.eu/studying/ibz.shtml/
Mandatory orientation course
As a new international exchange student or student participating in an exchange programme, you must take part in the orientation course in order to take care of all the important formalities for your stay at FAU. This includes registering at your place of residence, ensuring your health insurance is recognised or taking out new health insurance, opening a bank account, applying for a residence permit and finally enrolling at the University.
In this way, you can be sure that you do not forget anything and that no problems will arise later on, as it can be difficult to get to grips with the complex systems of the German authorities. An intercultural introduction to the university system and getting to know other international students and German students at certain events is also very helpful.
The orientation courses are held at the beginning of the semester in early October and early April. For students taking part in the intensive German course before the beginning of the semester, the orientation course starts in September or March before the intensive German course.
Exchange students and students participating in exchange programmes will automatically be forwarded the schedule by the Central Office for International Affairs. Participation in the orientation courses is mandatory for all exchange students and students participating in exchange programmes.
In addition there are orientation courses for international students offered by various faculties and offices at FAU.
Please contact our Erasmus co-ordinator first to find out which events are suitable for you.
Language of instruction and intensive German courses
The teaching language at FAU is usually German. It is important to have good German skills to enable you to complete your studies within the required period of time. Good knowledge of German is also important for communication outside of the University.
FAU’s Language Centre offers intensive German courses before the start of the semester which will allow you to improve your language proficiency. There are courses for various different levels. You can register for the course at the Language Centre.
English courses
You will find a list of English courses for our exchange students at:
https://www.phil.fau.eu/international/incoming-students/courses-taught-in-english/
Buddy programme
Starting at University is an exciting time for any new student. Getting used to everything may be a challenge at times, particularly for international students. You may have language difficulties or be unfamiliar with certain aspects of life in Germany and at the University. It is often helpful to have support with everyday tasks such as getting to know the city, buying a bike or organising trips.
The buddy programme puts international students and exchange students in contact with German students who can help them with any questions they may have and give them useful tips. Buddies are unofficial helpers who offer their support on a purely voluntary basis, and are often students who have spent time abroad themselves.
Welcome brochure
Our welcome brochure is particularly useful for all newly-arrived international students. It provides information not only on studying but also on the major and minor aspects of daily life you should be aware of when staying in Erlangen or Nuremberg for a longer period of time.
https://www.fau.eu/international/international-applicants/
Lecture periods
Summer semester: middle of April to end of July
Winter semester: middle of October middle of February
You can find the most important semester dates (lecture periods, deadlines for registration, enrolment and re-registration) at:
https://www.fau.eu/study/current-students/semester-dates/
Degree programme: Teaching Primary Education / Bachelor of Education
Detailed information on the degree programme in Teaching Primary Education (Lehramt an Grundschulen) is available here:
The Primary Education degree programme consists of the following areas:
-
primary education teaching methodology (70 ECTS)
-
main subject (66 ECTS)
-
education sciences (35 ECTS)
-
social science (8 ECTS)
-
4 teaching placements (11 ECTS)
-
free electives (10 ECTS)
-
final thesis (essential preparation for the external examination) (10 ECTS)
-
Master's thesis (30 ECTS)
Primary Education Teaching Methodology (70 ECTS)
Primary education/literacy/general education (science and social studies)
The degree programme begins with introductory modules:
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Primary education: The lecture and basic seminar “The Educational Mandate of Primary Education in Past and Present” are always held in the winter semester.
-
Literacy: The lecture and basic seminar “Principles of Related Fields, Methods and Challenges of Literacy” are always held in the summer semester.
-
General education (science and social studies): The lecture and basic seminar “Educational Value, Tasks and Conception of General Education” are also always held in the summer semester.
At a later stage in the degree programme you will take advanced seminars in each discipline.
Teaching methodology (German, mathematics, music, art, sports)
A general overview of subject-specific teaching methodology is given in three additional subjects: German and mathematics, which are studied in particular detail, and one subject of your choice, either music, art or sports.
Main subject (66 ECTS)
FAU offers 13 different main subjects that can be studied in the Teaching Primary Education degree programme:
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Art
-
Biology
-
Chemistry
-
Civic education
-
English
-
Geography
-
German
-
History
-
Mathematics
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Music
-
Physics
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Protestant religious education
-
Sports
You will study both the subject itself (54 ECTS) and the related teaching methodology (12 ECTS).
Information on the degree programmes and the skills that will be acquired in each main subject can be found in the degree programme and examination regulations. Furthermore, we can provide you with a module handbook with further information on your main subject and the available modules.
Education science (35 ECTS)
-
General education (10 ECTS; consists of two modules)
-
School education (10 ECTS; consists of two modules)
-
Psychology (15 ECTS; consists of three modules)
Social science (8 ECTS)
In social science (8 ECTS) you can attend lectures on various topics:
-
Religion – Philosophy – Politics – Sociology – Culture
Here you have the possibility to choose the topics you are interested in.
Teaching placements (11 ECTS)
The teaching placements (11 ECTS) are subdivided in four separate placements. Each of these placements will be at a different school and allow you to gain initial teaching experience. During the winter semester you can attend the placement “Teaching Primary Education”.
Free electives (10 ECTS)
Here (10 ECTS) you have the chance to explore an area you are really interested in. You can only choose courses in your main subject or in education science. Moreover, you should note that the courses are only worth 2–3 ECTS credits each and are not graded.
Final Thesis (10 ECTS)
In the final thesis (10 ECTS) you will demonstrate that you are able to carry out independent research.
Recommended courses for exchange students
Exchange students are recommended to take the following courses from the degree programme Teaching Primary Education / Bachelor of Education.
Summer semester
-
Literacy: The lecture and basic seminar “Principles of Related Fields, Methods and Challenges of Literacy” (3 ECTS)
-
General education: The lecture and basic seminar “Educational Value, Tasks and Conception of General Education” (3 ECTS)
Winter semester
-
School education: Module 1: The lecture “Introduction to School Education” and an advanced seminar (5 ECTS)
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Primary education: The lecture and basic seminar “The Educational Mandate of Primary Education in Past and Present” (4 ECTS)
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The placement “Teaching Primary Education” (6 ECTS)
Exchange students can also take other courses.
Degree programme: Master in Educational Research on Learning and Instruction
Detailed information on the degree programme 'Master in Educational Research on Learning and Instruction' is available here:
The Master in Educational Research on Learning and Instruction consists of the following areas:
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introductory and advanced courses on education (20 ECTS)
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introductory and advanced courses on empirical educational research methods (20 ECTS)
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findings from empirical educational research conducted in school and non-school environments (10 ECTS)
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introductory and advanced courses (20 ECTS) on the chosen specialisation (media education, equality and diversity management, or quality development in school and teaching)
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planning and carrying out a project (20 ECTS) in the chosen area of specialisation (media education, equality and diversity management, or quality development in school and teaching)
Exchange students can take different courses from the degree programme Master in Educational Research on Learning and Instruction.
Contact
Dr. Günter Renner
Senior Lecturer
ERASMUS Co-ordinator
guenter.renner@fau.de
Welcome Centre for International Researchers
Helmstr. 1A
91054 Erlangen
Germany
welcome@fau.de
Central Office for International Affairs
Helmstr. 1A
91054 Erlangen
Germany
incoming-students@fau.de